Bad news for Canadian Scotch enthusiasts

Re: Bad news for Canadian Scotch enthusiasts

Please explain how the LCBO operates....is it a totally publically financed operation? National or provincial?
Does it act as an umbrella public company that sells franchises?
Just curious where their operating funds come from and who determines what is purchased.

Re: Bad news for Canadian Scotch enthusiasts

I have been watching this for some time. I actually like a lot of the Diageo products but I have cut way back as the prices have nearly doubled in the last couple of years. At some point my favorites no longer make since to buy. Basically, they aren't that damn good.

It won't be long before Diageo and other importers for scotch whisky will become the best thing that ever happened to American whiskey. Still plenty of bargains in that market.

Often I am forced to deal with the fact that I prefer bourbon over dealing with facts.

Re: Bad news for Canadian Scotch enthusiasts

Originally Posted by Jono

Please explain how the LCBO operates....is it a totally publically financed operation? National or provincial?
Does it act as an umbrella public company that sells franchises?
Just curious where their operating funds come from and who determines what is purchased.

It is entirely provincial government owned and operated. They set the prices, and unless you find something on sale the prices are the same across the province. According to Wikipedia they're one of the largest single purchasers of alcoholic beverages in the world.

Re: Bad news for Canadian Scotch enthusiasts

Originally Posted by Dramiel McHinson

I have been watching this for some time. I actually like a lot of the Diageo products but I have cut way back as the prices have nearly doubled in the last couple of years. At some point my favorites no longer make since to buy. Basically, they aren't that damn good.

It won't be long before Diageo and other importers for scotch whisky will become the best thing that ever happened to American whiskey. Still plenty of bargains in that market.

Re: Bad news for Canadian Scotch enthusiasts

Originally Posted by Dramiel McHinson

I have been watching this for some time. I actually like a lot of the Diageo products but I have cut way back as the prices have nearly doubled in the last couple of years. At some point my favorites no longer make since to buy. Basically, they aren't that damn good.

It won't be long before Diageo and other importers for scotch whisky will become the best thing that ever happened to American whiskey. Still plenty of bargains in that market.

I noticed here that JW Green is 75 dollars at a local Hy-Vee, up about 12 or 15 dollars from a year or so ago. Same deal with Talisker.

Re: Bad news for Canadian Scotch enthusiasts

Every year, I take a least one trip to Windsor, Ontario and while there visit at least one LCBO store. While their selection is not the best I've ever seen, I have bought some nice different bottles there. Sometimes the prices are a little high and other times they are right in line with comparable brands in the US. Many of the more popular brands are elevated in price because the market will support it. I usually buy bottles I can't get in the US. I agree that the American whiskey offerings in Canada are too few. The duty free at Windsor has a better selection of bourbon than the LCBO stores, which is sad. All in all, I still enjoy the trips to Canada!

Just the opposite here in Alabama. On average, the Canadian whiskey is the least expensive, followed by the Kentucky bourbons, and then the outrageous scotch. In 2006 I bought a bottle of the Balvenie 21 yo Portwood for a little over 60$. It is now $203. I can find very few single malt scotches in my area for under $100. Glenlivet 10, Glenfiddich 12 haven't broken the century mark yet. The basic blends are creeping up with Johnnie Walker Green, Gold, Blue tearing your wallet to shreds.

I went to the local Windmill and they had a New bottle Hancock's Presidents Reserve single barrel from Buffalo Trace for $65. Most people draw the line at $25-30 for this whiskey.

Usually the ABC stores are the least expensive and all other stores must buy from them so its their price plus mark-up. I love my whisk(e)y, but I'm going to have to cut back until the supply backs up and busts the distributer's warehouses then we'll get a price break.

Often I am forced to deal with the fact that I prefer bourbon over dealing with facts.